Göbekli Tepe vulture carvings depict headless humans, oldest psychopomp evidence. Göbekli Tepe dates to 9600-8200 BC in southern Turkey Carvings show unmistakable vultures near headless human figures or isolated heads Pillar 43 in Building D depicts a headless human torso with a hovering bird
At Göbekli Tepe (9600-8200 BC), pillar carvings show vultures hovering over headless figures. This is the earliest known evidence of psychopomps—creatures guiding souls to the afterlife. The connection between headlessness, vultures, and death concepts appears over 11,000 years ago in southern Turkey.
Key Facts
- Göbekli Tepe dates to 9600-8200 BC in southern Turkey
- Carvings show unmistakable vultures near headless human figures or isolated heads
- Pillar 43 in Building D depicts a headless human torso with a hovering bird
- One statue shows an intentionally decapitated human
- Another shows a figure holding a human head
- Archaeologists interpret these as early soul/consciousness beliefs tied to the head
- This is the earliest recorded evidence of vultures as psychopomps
Related site: Göbekli Tepe — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Vultures were the first "angels" (a 12k year old story) by Timeless with Fred Snyder